Welcome to Windows 7 Forums. Our forum is dedicated to helping you find support and solutions for any problems regarding your Windows 7 PC be it Dell, HP, Acer, Asus or a custom build. We also provide an extensive Windows 7 tutorial section that covers a wide range of tips and tricks.

Windows 7: Random BSODs While Not Playing Games or Surfing Internet

You did have some pup's/(mal/ad)ware, but it was an extension from Chrome and a driver update program.

For now it looks good with the tests

Hmm; I was just re-reading this reply from you. I haven't really been on my PC since doing the tests. I'll get on it tonight and see.

If it comes down to it, @axe0 , and I do have to install a clean installation on this PC, there's a few things I want to mention:

1) This was pre-built and has preconfigured software
2) There is a system image already on the PC for recovering to factory defaults
3) If I perform a clean installation using nothing but the Windows 7 OS CD, will I have to "hunt down" the software that Dell & Alienware originally put on my PC?

Basically, I'm trying to say that there is stuff on this PC that I'm unsure is important to my PC's build or not. It's pre-built and I don't know if performing a clean installation will cause any unforseen problems.

Those software is usually called bloatware which a user usually mostly wants to get rid of.
A clean installation will certainly remove these software, but you should note down what software was pre-installed if you don't want to loose it.
In the factory reset is the pre-installed software present, if you do a factory reset the pre-installed software will be installed again, but that is not what we need currently.

You could install software like Macrium Reflect to backup your system and after a backup perform a clean install, or note down the software that was pre-installed.

I have noticed one thing though. These BSODs happen whenever I'm on the desktop. If I'm playing a game, it won't BSOD. If I surf the Internet, most of the time, it won't. If I stay on the Desktop for too long, this seems to occur.

I've about had it. I'm going to attempt a backup, and if I can't I'm reinstalling the OS without all this "bloatware".

EDIT:

I'm making two backups just in case.

EDIT #2:

I've decided to hold off on the clean installation and try one more thing. Apparently the newest Nvidia drivers have caused BSODs and lots of them. Using DDU, I will rollback to the 362.00 version and see if the BSODs stop.

My two cents worth maybe it had something to do with the original install that was just not quite right and if I were in your place a clean install is what I would be doing. If you are intending that then do you have an OEM? or what? If not then you could use any Microsoft DVD to install from using thisClean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 the bloatware will at least be gone and who knows if it isn't some of the problem?? That is is you still have the activation code on the sticker

If you need to retrieve and save data before see this
RETRIEVE DATA WITH A BOOTABLE UBUNTU OS
Make a bootable Ubuntu disk/stick Download Ubuntu Desktop | Download | Ubuntu
Set the BIOS to boot from the optical when the machine boots it will show you a screen with TRY or INSTALL > select TRY not INSTALL
When it is finished - it takes very little time you will get a screen like in the pic .
Open the drive you want > User and dig down until you get to the data / settings you may be able to copy / paste the material you want to an external source or other installed drive doing this.
I am not sure if it will but I have recovered tons of data etc using this method both on "dead" or just plain drives that you cannot get data from using Windows. I like to use a CD as I am not keen on sticks but the second option will allow you to try out Linux if you so wish
and this Emergency Kit - save your files from a dead OS

Now I find the Ubuntu is slightly easier to set up and both run in a non Windows environment which does away with any conflicts anyway see my pic of what Ubuntu looks like

@axe0 , I have a Windows 7 CD that came with the PC. I also have a partition on my PC called "OEM". Is this what you are talking about?

I've done a clean install on my laptop but never on a pre-configured PC like this Alienware, so I'm a little nervous to just completely wipe the thing and restart all over. Like I said, I'm going to test a few days and see if I get anymore BSODs (now that drivers have been rolled back to 362.00 version). If I BSOD again, then I'm going through with the clean installation.

I've done a clean install on my laptop but never on a pre-configured PC like this Alienware, so I'm a little nervous to just completely wipe the thing and restart all over.

Now depending on your budget of course personally I would take out the original drive and do a clean install on a new one. But it does mean laying out more cash but as I said I would do that as I have done in the past with cloning drives to try other stuff on.

So everything is looking good now. I had a few yellow warning signs for missing drivers but I was able to find them (Wireless Network drivers & Bluetooth). Those went away now and I have access to wireless networks.

@Axe0, @ICIT2LOL, do you guys have anything you could recommend me so I can keep better track of my drivers and update them periodically so I can possibly avoid a driver conflict problem (I think this is what was causing my BSODs)?

MSSE is successfully installed and monitoring my PC.

Installing as many updates as I can. Windows is still spitting them out but I've installed 160+ already.

I have minimized the installation of "bloatware" as best I could but some might have slipped through from the driver installs. I do need one particular program though, Alienware Command Center, because I can't access my PC's FX features without it. I have but I really don't want to install it. Ugh.

I don't know what else to say, but it's nice to have my PC "back" and not BSODing every few minutes. I don't know if I should mark this as "SOLVED" just yet but you and your team have once again helped me immensely. If you have any further suggestions for me, please indicate them.

I can't thank your team enough. As my name says, I am/was sick of the BSODs and every time, you've been more than helpful. I can't thank you all enough.

Random BSODs While Not Playing Games or Surfing Internet

Random BSODs while playing gamesHey
Installed Windows to my SSD 2 days ago and have had some BSOD's while playing games.
Got a feeling it could be related to display drivers tho i have reinstalled them twice and used Display driver uninstaller to wipe the drivers. Any help is much appreciated

BSOD Help and Support

Random Freeze in laptop when playing games or surfinghi guys . im new here, im pretty lost ive done almost everything my laptop freezes in random times majority when playing games.alt+ctrl +del doesnt work mouse and keyboard you need to press the power button again to reboot.
BTW: i wanted to do a clean reinstall but i cant do it since my rig is...

General Discussion

Computer BSOD while surfing internet and sometimes playing games.My computer that i built 4 years ago has been having problems since i made. It would occasionally freeze every now and then but it has become even worse. The primary issue i have with this is that it locks up sometimes when i play games like League of Legends, or even World of Warcraft. It also...

BSOD Help and Support

BSOD Surfing on Internet / Idle / playing gamesHello all . First of all i must apologize if my english is not so good .
my problem started few weaks ago when i did Turn On my computer and recieved a message to repair my Windows ... i didn't was able to do anithing , i did try to repair it but didn't let me to do it so ... then i chosed to...

BSOD Help and Support

BSOD while playing games or just surfing in the internetHey!
My PC is brand new (build it up in August) but I keep getting BSOD almost every time. I've updated my graphics card drivers because I thought it would help but it didn't.
I get the BSOD totally randomly. It doesn't matter if I play games or just surf in the internet.
Is Windows 7 . ....